Download It happened to me – Breast Cancer

STATION MEDICAL GROUP
ISSUE 7
Autumn 2015
Inside This Issue
 News
Staff update and news
Flu jabs
Patient satisfaction
questionnaire
 Promoting Health
Arthritis
Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disorder
(COPD)
 Meet our Team
Dr Grace Watts
Dr Pepper Atkinson
 It happened to me
Personal patient
perspective
 Did you Know?
Going Online
-
Prescriptions
-
Appointments
 Healthy recipe
Cheese and Walnut loaf
Practice News
After serving the practice since 2005 Dr Waddell retired on 30
September. However, he will be returning on 2 November to cover
maternity leave for Dr Atkinson.
Dr Ruth Parr joined the group on 1 October and will be working five
sessions a week.
Dr McEvedy is the GP lead for Dementia Awareness. Paul, who is one
of our admin staff, has been appointed the Dementia Awareness
Champion and is the initial point of contact for patients at reception.
Flu Jabs
This year’s immunization programme
started at the end of
September and there has been an excellent take-up by patients
considered most vulnerable. Everyone at the practice, including GPs
seeing patients on other appointments, has contributed to
‘processing’ the large number of patients quickly and ‘painlessly’.
Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire
The practice is constantly facing new challenges to provide the best
possible level of care for our patients.
Our active Patient
Participation Group is working closely with the practice to produce a
patient satisfaction questionnaire to get feedback on how we are
doing and to help us continue to provide the best service. If you are
approached to complete a questionnaire we would appreciate your
comments. You can give anonymous feedback at any time in the
surgery ’suggestion box’ or via a member of the Patient Group,
Practice Opening Hours:
 Main doors are open from 0830-1830. Appointments available 0830-1115; 1355-1745. The reception is open
but there is no clinical cover between 12.30-1.30




 Practice
OpeningAsHours:
MainTelephone
doors are open
0830-1230
and 1330-1800
Main telephone number:
01670 542630
from 1.4.14
lines from
are open
from 0830-1830
Monday to Friday
Monday
–
Friday.
– (includes prescription line option - available from 0930-1200 and 1330-1600)
ctice Opening
Hours:
doors are
openassistance
from 0830-1230
Out of hours phone: for Medical
Emergency
999;Main
for routine
medical
111. and 1330-1800
Monday – Friday.
Website: stationmedicalgroup-blyth.nhs.uk
STATION MEDICAL NEWSLETTER
PAGE 2
Promoting Health
In every issue we will
highlight a particular
health topic.
This issue covers Arthritis
And COPD
Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease
Arthritis affects millions of people worldwide, and can have a huge
impact on the lives of those with the condition.
The two most common types of arthritis are “Osteoarthritis” and
‘Rheumatoid arthritis’. There are other forms of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis: is the most common form of joint disease. The surface
within the joint becomes damaged so that the joint doesn’t move
as smoothly as it should. This causes pain stiffness and a grating or
grinding sensation when the joint moves.
Men and women of all
ages can get arthritis.
Factors that can make this more likely are:
 Hereditary - If arthritis runs in the family.
 Lifestyle – a physically demanding job with repetitive
movements.
 Previous injury to a joint.
 Joints having been damaged by another disease.
ARTHRITIS
Information on Arthritis is
available in the waiting area
X-ray is the most useful test in the diagnosis of arthritis.
What can help?
 Gentle exercise at the right level.
 Being the correct weight.
 Reducing stress on the affected joint.
 Over the counter pain relievers.
Your doctor may recommend physiotherapy, prescribe pain killers,
steroid injections or refer you for joint replacement surgery if
necessary.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is the second most common form of arthritis. It
affects more women than men.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease when the immune
system (the body’s defense against disease) starts to attack the
body’s normal tissues causing inflammation.
Common symptoms include:
 Inflammation in the joint.
 Painful and swollen joints.
 Stiffness
 Tiredness, depression or feeling irritable.
 Aneamia
 Flu like symptoms, feeling generally unwell.
X-rays, scans and blood tests are all used in diagnosing this disease.
What can help?
Different types of drugs are used in the treatment of this disease.
Surgery is sometimes needed to release a nerve or for joint
replacement. Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry and
hydrotherapy can all help in the care of joints.
Autumn – October/November 2015
STATION MEDICAL NEWSLETTER
PAGE 3
The following points are also important in the management of rheumatoid
arthritis.
 Having a sensible balance between rest and exercise.
 Eating a healthy diet and being the correct weight.
 Protecting joints from unnecessary strain.
 Getting enough rest to help with fatigue.
 Learning more about your condition.
For more information about arthritis and related illnesses, please take the
information booklets available with the present display in the practice waiting
area.
The above information was taken with the permission from “Arthritis Research UK”.
For further information: Tel: 0300 7900400, or visit their website:
www.arthritisresearchuk.org
COPD World Events Day 18th November 2015
COPD
More information on COPD
will be displayed in the
practice waiting area from
the second week in
November. Please take
the information leaflets and
booklets, which will be
available.
COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. One person in five
in the UK is affected by lung disease. The main cause of COPD is smoking.
COPD is the name given to describe a number of lung conditions including:
 Emphysema – Which affects the air sacks in the lungs called
“ALVEOLI”.
 Chronic Bronchitis – Which affects the airways in the lungs called
“BRONCHI”. When the airways become inflamed and the air sacks in
the lungs become damaged the airways become narrower making it
harder to breathe in and out, causing breathing difficulties.
The symptoms of COPD include :
 Wheezing, particularly when breathing out.
 Breathlessness when resting, or active.
 Tight chest
 Cough
 Producing more mucus or phlegm than usual.
To diagnose COPD your doctor will request you to have some breathing tests
called “Spirometry” which will measure the amount of air flowing in and out
of your lungs. This will establish how narrow your airways are.
Treatment There is no cure for COPD but there are a number of treatments
that can improve symptoms and prevent flare-ups. Different types of inhalers,
steroid tablets, antibiotics are all available if treatment is necessary. It is
important to have a healthy diet and be the correct weight this can help
prevent infections and help with breathing. Being active and learning to
exercise at the right level for you can strengthen the muscles, which help you
to breathe making it easier for you to carry out everyday activities. It is also
important that you get a yearly flu vaccination.
The above information was taken with permission from “ The British Lung Foundation”.
For further information call the British Lung Foundation helpline:
Tel:03000 030555, or visit their website: www.blf.org.uk
Autumn – October/November 2015
STATION MEDICAL NEWSLETTER
PAGE 4
Meet our Team
Meet our Team
Dr Grace Watts
I started working at Station Medical Group in December 2013 and I cannot
believe how the time has flown. I am originally from Nottingham and came
to the North East to study medicine at Newcastle University in 1997 and like
many other people have never left. I remember my first impression of the
region was how friendly the people were and I have always found this to be
a welcoming and fun place to live.
Meet Dr Grace Watts
and
Dr Pepper Atkinson,
two lady doctors who
recently joined the
practice and now are
an established part of
the team
I worked around various hospitals in Newcastle and Northumbria during my
training and after finishing my GP training worked in Walker for almost 7
years in a busy urban practice very similar to Station Medical Group.
I have a special interest in women’s health and fit coils and implants so we
now provide a full range of contraceptive services at the practice, lots of
patients are choosing long acting contraceptives for convenience with busy
lives and the mirena coil has a beneficial effect on bleeding so can also be
used to treat heavy periods or bleeding problems.
I live in Gosforth with my husband and two children (plus cats and fish!) who
are now aged 4 and 7 and at school so life is busy but rewarding. I am
thoroughly enjoying my work at Station Medical Group and hope to be here
for a long time to come!
Dr Pepper Atkinson
I joined Station Medical Group I January 2014 and ever since have
thoroughly enjoyed working in this busy but very friendly practice.
I am very proud to be from the North East and having been born and raised
here, my love for it means I have never really left for any great length of
time.
I started at Newcastle University in 2000, initially studying Medical
Microbiology and then went on to study Medicine, graduating in 2007.
During my initial postgraduate and then GP training, I worked in a number of
hospitals in Newcastle, Gateshead and Northumberland, which has allowed
me to gain experience in both general medicine and various specialities.
After completing my GP training in 2012, I worked in a large and busy
practice in Gateshead before starting ay Station Medical. My areas of
particular interest are in women’s/sexual health and child health.
I now live just outside of Seaton Delaval with my husband and 2 year old
little girl with another little one on the way who is due later this year. So I
have a feeling next year is going to be very busy and exciting.
Autumn – October/November 2015
STATION MEDICAL NEWSLETTER
PAGE 5
It happened to me ….
It happened to
me…
It could happen to
you?
A personal
perspective from
one of our patients
As a regular topic
we include an
anonymous article
from one of our
patients about their
own very personal
experience with an
illness. This is their
own experience, in
their own words
and not a
professional view,
but it might be of
interest to help
fellow sufferers or
their carers.
Breast Cancer
Lots has been written about breast cancer in the media. There may even be a
perception by some other cancer sufferers that more attention is given to breast
cancer than other types as there is certainly a steady flow of press coverage about
celebrities who have been diagnosed. But the fact is that a great many ordinary
people are affected directly or indirectly. Latest information is 1 in 8 women will be
diagnosed with breast cancer, young and old. In the UK, 55,000 people are
diagnosed and nearly 12,000 women die of breast cancer each year. Scarily, I
personally have 4 very close friends and know several other women of my
immediate acquaintance who are surviving members of this infamous ‘club’. The
reason for writing this piece is to share my own experience, raise awareness and
emphasise the importance of self–examination and early diagnosis for a positive
outcome.
My story began when I received a phone call when I was on holiday. There I was
strolling carefree in the mediterranean sunshine when a call came on my mobile
from a doctor who had carried out a routine “lady screen” I had as part of a private
insurance plan - I have always been proactive about health. I had nearly refused a
mammogram as I had had a clear NHS one just over a year previously. Thank
goodness I didn’t. The doctor wanted to see me about what appeared to be an
irregularity on the mammogram. As I was out of the country she tried to play it down
but I put her on the spot and asked if I should return home urgently. When I said I
was due home in a week she said not to worry but see my GP immediately on my
return. I tried not to think the worst and my husband kept quoting statistics of how
may recalls turn out to be nothing but I couldn’t put it out of my head, already
being in a state of anxiety and fear. I made an appointment with my GP for my
return and she had already booked me an appointment at Wansbeck Hospital
‘One Stop Breast Care Clinic’ the next week. Within an hour of my appointment it
was confirmed I had breast cancer. There was nothing to see or feel – no outward
sign, no lump, no inverted nipple. Examination based on the mammogram
revealed a suspicious flat area high up at the top of my breast.
After initial
examination I had a needle biopsy and ultrasound. I think I knew for sure something
was wrong when the friendly, chatty ultrasound technician became very quiet. I
was given the news by the consultant and a MacMillan nurse who were direct, but
so reassuring, caring and positive, outlining what happened next: further tests and
possible treatment options. In the whirlwind that followed, everyone I came into
contact with was wonderful; a huge range of health professionals and friends.
Initially diagnosed with DCIS (Ductal carcinoma in situ) grade 1, it was decided I
should have a lumpectomy and my operation was carried out within a month. I was
out of hospital within 24 hours with home support from District Nurses. However,
biopsy and further examination revealed a larger more aggressive tumour (grade
2/3) than first revealed, which had started to spread to my lymph glands. When I
was gently told by the consultant surgeon, I was in a state of shock. I had been
hopeful it was already sorted. But then when my tears subsided I was just so
reassured and happy to hear they could still treat me and I realized I had no choice
but to ‘just get on with it’. The ‘goal posts’ move as to what is good news and what
is bad news. As long as there is somewhere to go…
I won’t go into details about the next 18 months. Mastectomy, lymph clearance,
chemo, radiotherapy, Herceptin, and physiotherapy. At each stage you are told in
great detail what to expect and how to deal with it and supported so that you can
cope better. Fortunately I got through it pretty well. I even had a fun day out with a
good friend choosing my wig – and trying on lots of others, crying with laughter. So
when my brunette hair went I was ready, and a redhead!
Autumn – October/November 2015
STATION MEDICAL NEWSLETTER
It happened to me
– Breast Cancer
Be vigilant - it
could be you ?
PAGE 6
Nearly five years on, I have come through the other end.
So far so good. The
cliché is right. Every day really is a bonus and you learn how to value the simple
things in life - and your family and friends. I was so, so lucky. I just want to share
how important it is to self-examine and take advantage of mammograms. Without
early diagnosis – who knows? It is easy to put off ‘having a feel’ or checking out
something you feel a bit concerned about but would rather ignore. Nobody likes it.
We are all frightened of what we might find, and if you do look you might find
something – but you have to know. Most times it will be nothing and you will be
reassured.
If you are diagnosed, every case is different, with specific treatment.
Not
everyone needs surgery. One friend’s cancer tumour disappeared after a course
of drugs, two others had a simple lumpectomy and medication and they are all
fine and getting on with life. It took me a little longer, and other ladies are
courageously living with breast cancer. I am so grateful for the support I received
along the way from our GP practice and the many different health professionals
involved. Our local Health Care Trust is second to none in my view, but you can
help them and yourself by taking responsibility for knowing your own body. In my
case I found it hard to accept that I had had no idea what was happening inside
me, so you need to ensure you have regular mammograms and professional
examination when offered. 78% of women survive breast cancer for 10 or more
years [Cancer Research UK] but this figure must improve and depends on early
diagnosis.
Further information: NHS, MacMillan Cancer Care; Breast Cancer Now, Cancer
Research UK, Sometimes it is difficult to share your worries with loved ones. For
those affected there is a local support group in Blyth which allows you to meet
other ladies who are experiencing or have experienced breast cancer. (details
available at the surgery.)
Online Access
Did you know?
Going Online
Prescriptions
Appointments
___________________
What is online access?
Once registered, you will be able to access parts of your medical record including
medications, allergies and immunisations. You will also have the option to order
repeat medications and book appointments online.
How do I register?
You will need to come down to the surgery with photographic ID to verify yourself, if
you do not have any photographic ID please bring a recent utility bill (bank
statement etc).
You will then be given a registration document containing your pin key and
account ID, this is the information you need to register online. You would do this by
visiting our website at www.stationmedicalgroup-blyth.nhs.uk and clicking on the
online appointments or repeat prescription ordering button on the main page. You
will then be taken to the registration page where you can enter all your details and
create your account.
Autumn – October/November 2015
STATION MEDICAL NEWSLETTER
PAGE 7
What are the benefits of online access?
Repeat prescriptions
Saves you time as you can order your repeat medications 24hrs a day at your
convenience order prescriptions when the prescription line is closed (helpful if you can’t find
the time to ring during opening hours).
Add messages to your order.
You can also have your repeat medications sent directly to a pharmacy this
saves a trip down to the GP surgery.
Online Appointments
A percentage of appointments will be available to book online, again this can
be accessed 24hrs a day (please note only one appointment per person can
be booked).
The appointments are released the same way as our current appointment
system.
Other parts of medical record
No need to ring the surgery to find out immunisation and allergy details as these
will be displayed in your online access account.
In the future there will be more online access to medical records available.
Healthy recipe
Cheese and Walnut Loaf
4 oz plain flour
4 oz wholemeal flour
4 level tsp baking powder
Half tsp salt
1 egg
8 oz sugar
2 fluid oz sunflower oil
8 fluid oz milk
8 oz grated cheddar cheese
2 oz chopped Walnuts
Method
Sieve together dry ingredients.
Beat egg, milk and oil until blended
Add to dry mixture then add cheese and walnuts
Pour into 2 lb loaf tin and bake for 45-60 mins at 180 degrees C
Delivering a service
for approximately
10,000 patients in
the Blyth area
Mmm. Lovely!
Please
use
the
Suggestion Box on
Reception and PPG
to voice your views.
Newsletter:
We
welcome
ideas
for
topics of interest from all
ages,
and
would
especially like to hear
from young people.
PPG
The Patient Participation Group is made up of volunteer patients who attend
meetings every two months with practice staff to give feedback from/represent all patients and
to take a proactive role in building the relationship between the SMG and their patients. We
would like to represent all member s of the community and all ages. If you would like to be
involved, particularly if you are 18-30 we would like to hear from you.
Autumn – October/November 2015